Council worker convicted of embezzling over £1m from Aberdeen City Council
Michael Paterson, 59, pled guilty to embezzling over £1million from the local authority over 17 years.
Last updated 7th Jun 2024
A man has been convicted of embezzling funds of more than £1 million from Aberdeen City Council over the course of 17 years.
Michael Paterson, 59, pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh for pocketing a total of £1,087,444.47 from the local authority between 2006 and 2023.
He was an employee at the council during this time.
Last year, an investigation was launched after the police were made aware and he was arrested on 21 December.
He is due to be sentenced at a later date.
Aberdeen City Council said it is checking records and will be directly contacting anyone who has been impacted with a view to reinstating council tax credit.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: "The Council notes the conclusion of today's court case involving its former employee.
"We are in the process of checking our records and will be directly contacting anyone impacted with a view to reinstating Council Tax credit due – there is no requirement to contact us.
"The Council apologises to any resident affected. The Council’s financial controls and processes – including Council Tax refund arrangements – have been reviewed and strengthened.”
Detective Constable Tom Cameron said: “Paterson portrayed himself as an honest and professional individual and instead used his position to obtain a significant amount of money.
“I hope this investigation highlights our commitment to fully investigate all reports of financial crime."